An arrest has been made in the death of an 11-year-old in Johnson City.
Shakia J. Crute was taken into custody on Friday. She has been charged with second-degree manslaughter for the death of her son, Jerome Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. died on Saturday in what police originally ruled a “suspicious death.” Police are now calling it a "recklessly caused death."
The incident happened at a Burbank Avenue residence in Johnson City on February 2nd. The cause of death has not yet been released by police.
"Illegally caused death is a rare occurrence in Johnson City period,” said Johnson City Police chief Brent Dodge. “And even more so, the death of a child, so the death of a child is very rare."
Shakia Crute has been taken to the Broome County Jail while she waits for her next court appearance.